WHITE RESIDUE BAD FOR NATURAL HAIR BUSINESS

The alleged causes of white residue on dreadlocks have grown to cause quite a stir on the natural hair business and have been identified within different dreadlock salons.

Clients, salons and commercialized dreadlock franchises around Durban believe that the white residue in between dreadlocks is caused by treatment chemicals such as Stylin Dredz Twist Gel.

Even though there minimum commercial competition, there are a number of dreadlock salons that use the same treatment chemical on its clients.

Managing Director of XTLS Dreadlock Specialist, Junior Mkhize, said that not all dreadlock salons are aware that the various treatment chemicals they use on their clients becomes their ultimate tool of trade.

“A black client is the most difficult client but the most important at the same time. A black client will not tell you what you have done wrong but you will see that something went wrong when they never come back to your salon,” said Mkhize.

Bongo dreadlock specialists like Gerald Mudzimiri share a different view on what clients see as white residue and what causes it.

“That white thing found on your dreadlocks is dandruff. It is easy for us to take it out from our clients’ hair because we are using a crochet. When using a crochet you are pulling it out from the inside. Another way to remove it is to use a spray. For me, I use a JabuStone Hair Spray but you can use any that you desire,” said Mudzimiri

Most of them have oils and oil tightens up in between locks as they get frequently twisted.

“The gel gets dry. It then goes down to the tips of my hair. I usually take it out with a needle,” said Smangele Xaba, a client.

Salam Goye who is also a bongo dreadlocks specialist says that going back to the main natural ingredient would be the ultimate solution.

“That’s why you notice that water plays a very big role in natural hair. Be it dreadlocks or not dreadlocks. If you keep your hair clean your hair will grow. Same applies to natural hair and afros,” said Goye.

Two years ago commercial natural hair businesses were at a loss due to dissatisfied clients and financial manipulation, but XTLS saw an opportunity to introduce a new product in the market to increase their clientele and give other salons a run for their money.

“We have introduced new products that are exclusively available to us. Its Ladine and Sheer elegance. We have been using them for three months on trial run to see their reception from clients. Having a private product has put us at an advantage not with just clientele but also with broadening our franchise,” said Mkhize.